Holman crowned Australia's best

Socceroos star Brett Holman capped his successful switch to the English Premier League by taking out the Australian footballer of the year award on Wednesday night.

Holman, one of Australia's best-performed players in recent years, was awarded the top men's prize at the Australian Football Awards in Sydney, with Matildas midfielder Sally Shipard taking out the women's award.

In-demand Central Coast goalkeeper Mat Ryan continued his remarkable rise, claiming the under-20 men's player of the year for the second straight year, as Melbourne Victory W-League star Stephanie Catley secured the women's youth award.

Holman, 28, took the top gong despite missing five of Australia's international matches this season, mostly due to injury.

However, he was rewarded for his strong form with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar late last season, before sealing a switch to Aston Villa at the start of this season.

He has made 12 appearances for 18th-placed Villa, including eight starts, and his hard-working displays have quickly endeared him to fans, named the supporters' player of the month for September.

Holman follows Mark Schwarzer (2009, 2010) and Matt McKay (2011) as a winner of the award, created by Football Federation Australia four years ago.

Shipard's award came after a stellar 2011-12 W-League campaign in which she helped Canberra United to the title and a short but successful stint with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Germany.

Mariners shotstopper Ryan continues to scoop the pool of youth awards, having also won the young A-League player of the year award for the past two seasons.

The 20-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to England in January, with Hull City already making an offer for his services and several other clubs believed to be interested.

With A-League star Alessandro Del Piero among those in attendance, a host of non-professional clubs, players and coaches were also recognised.

"It's a wonderful night for the game to celebrate the diversity of Australian football and pay tribute to everyone from the volunteers through to the superstars," new Football Federation Australia chief David Gallop said in a statement.

"The Australian Football Awards are an important occasion to show that the national governing body wants to nurture that connection to the grassroots.

"My goal is for everyone who plays, watches and works in the game to feel like they belong in football. "